I'm having problems playing WMV files. If I open them in Windows Media Player, I receive a message asking for a security upgrade which does nothing. If I try to open them in any other player, I get a message saying that either the file can't be played or that it is an invalid type.

Have you downloaded the K_Lite Codec pack ?
That might solve your problem.

I wonder what'll happen if I do this ?

does that happen with ANY wmv?

have you tried with GOMplayer?

http://www.gomplayer.com/main.html

Today's subliminal thought is: 'Calm down ... it's only ones and zeros.'

"Have you downloaded the K_Lite Codec pack?"

Yes I have and when I try to play the same file(s) using Media Player Classic through K-Lite, I receive a message "Cannot render file".

"does that happen with ANY wmv?"

It happens with about one out of every three WMV files, mostly files downloaded from usenet although I have had the same problem with files downloaded from websites.

"have you tried with GOMplayer?"

I've tried using GOMplayer before and tried it again today, but when I try to play the same files which have the problems, I receive a message saying "You don't have the right codec to play" which seems strange because all of my codecs should be up to date.

VLC player is what you might try
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

Hopefully my advice will help you...Please post back with your results....thanks

Hi
=======================================
Did you try dBpowerAMP-codec-wmav91.exe ?
I use it on 3 machines. You can get it here:
http://idatop.com/programs/file/dBp...
Peter

drm protection?

Today's subliminal thought is: 'Calm down ... it's only ones and zeros.'

icq 10183575

sounds like the files u r trying to play are either corrupted or u done have the right codec installed, try founding out what codec is needed, and download it manually

mattie has the answer...drm protected files.

if you don't update the drm as requested then you can't use the files....
if you update and still can't use the files then you are basically screwed...as the drm protection was downloaded the download manager more than likely corrupted the files and locked you out of them....so far no one has reported a repair for this action...including microsoft...they just report what happens when the download manager screws them up!

In The Matters Of Style,
swim with the current;
in matters of principle,
Stand Like A Rock

"People demand freedom of speech to make up for the
freedom of thought which they avoid."

Thanks for the responses and comments. I (vaguely) understand about DRM. Some files which I downloaded from website on which I am a member have been "locked" by WMP11 and I can't play them no matter what I seem to do. Others though were downloaded from various usenet groups and I assume that they aren't protected and yet they won't play.

I'm sure we can all guess what type of video files you're downloading from Usenet, but that's your own business.

WMV encoded files can also harbor viruses and other malware; typically it will ask you to install a "license" to watch the video in question.

There are plenty of free porn sites out there with movies on them. Try sticking to AVI and MPG files as they have fewer security risks.

Who gave you people access to a computer?

did you try response 5?

Hopefully my advice will help you...Please post back with your results....thanks

I've also tried response #5 ("VLC player is what you might try") but that didn't work either.